Police and fire services called to man sat on top of double decker bus in Leeds

Police and fire crews have been called out tonight after a bus company found a man sitting on top of a double decker bus in Leeds.

First Bus called West Yorkshire Police at 6.30pm, who then attended, along with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, to the incident outside St James's Hospital in Beckett Street.

Photo sent in by Ben Greaves of the incident outside St James's Hospital

The 20-year-old was sat on top of the bus for an hour until police brought the man down safely at 7.30pm.

Police were still on scene as of about 8.30pm talking to the man to check on his welfare, but the incident is being treated as a mental health issue.

West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner's office has stressed the importance of an appropriate police response to mental health issues.

In a Partner Priority Plan published on its website, it states: "Our overall aim is to improve our understanding of issues around mental health, community safety and the criminal justice system, and put in place better systems to deal with those issues.

"To achieve this the PCC has set up the Criminal Justice and Mental Health Forum which started meeting in June 2015.

"It brings together the relevant stakeholders from the criminal justice system, NHS, the other emergency services and the third sector.

"Its initial priority was to ensure that the Police worked with the NHS to ensure an appropriate response to those individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This has been achieved by developing triage arrangements and in particular locating mental health professionals in some Police control rooms."

Helplines

Do you need someone to talk to about mental health? The NHS endorses the following hotlines:

Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines can offer expert advice.

Anxiety UK

Charity providing support if you've been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Phone: 08444 775 774 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm)

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK

A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.

Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15-35.

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Depression Alliance

Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups.

Website: www.depressionalliance.org

Men's Health Forum

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.

Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

No Panic

Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and OCD. Offers a course to help overcome your phobia/OCD. Includes a helpline.

Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am-10pm)

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

OCD Action

Support for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Includes information on treatment and online resources.

Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm)

Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk

OCD UK

A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.